GATORBOWL NOTEBOOK: Hokies' left tackle hurts knee

Starting left tackle Jimmy Martin suffered a sprained right medial collateral ligament in Virginia Tech's practice Friday. He is questionable for Monday's Gator Bowl against Louisville.

Martin, a senior, has started 45 consecutive games, the Hokies' longest active streak. He was a second-team All-ACC selection this season, posting 26 knockdown blocks.

Martin's injury could prove to be troubling for the Hokies. Martin would line up against Bronko Nagurski Award winner Elvis Dumervil, the Big East defensive player of the year for Louisville. He led the nation in sacks (19), tackles for loss (21 1/2).

Louisville in the house

Louisville and Virginia Tech fans began flocking to the First Coast on Friday, and the influx indicated that Louisville would hold its own after initial reports of slow ticket sales

Cardinals athletic director Tom Jurich said he received estimates from alumni groups that approximately 8,000 of the school's alumni and fans arrived in the area Friday. Louisville sold its allotment of 12,750 tickets last week, and requested more tickets early this week.

"I think Jacksonville is going to be very excited about having invited Louisville when it's all said and done," Jurich said. "Let's wait and see how much red we've got in the stadium Monday before we judge things."

Jurich and Louisville president James Ramsey hosted a party for fans Friday night at the Sawgrass Marriott, with about 1,000 in attendance. Gator Bowl chairman Mike Hartley, who addressed fans at the party, said later that early claims from Louisville that they would bring around 20,000 fans to Jacksonville might still come to pass.

"They're showing up in numbers and in spirit," Hartley said. "Our expectations are pretty high for Gator Bowl teams and I think Louisville is going to be close to the kind of numbers they predicted."

Brohm watching

Brian Brohm is enjoying the week of the Gator Bowl. But he won't get the reward at the end, playing for Louisville on Monday against Virginia Tech at Alltel Stadium. Brohm injured his left knee against Syracuse on Nov. 26. Hunter Cantwell will start on Monday.

"I understand injuries are going to happen in football, but it's frustrating," Brohm said Friday while watching his teammates leave the UNF practice field following a 90-minute workout. "I can't even be on the field to watch practice because I've got to rehab. But the first week after the injury was the hardest. I got over that hump and I realize I've got to work and get ready for next year. I'm down here to help the team any way I can and enjoy the bowl experience."

Sorensen the seer

Jaguars safety Nick Sorensen, who played at Virginia Tech from 1997-2000, stopped by the Hokies' Friday practice session at Jacksonville University.

Sorensen played in the Gator Bowl twice as a Hokie -- in his freshman and senior seasons -- and he was quick to offer his forecast for this season's Gator Bowl.

Sorensen said he and Jacksonville teammate Ernest Wilford, who played at Virginia Tech from 2000-2003, would like to be on the sidelines for Monday's game but would have to clear it with Hokies coach Frank Beamer.